By Dianne R. DavisThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Photos by Dianne R. Davis or Burt Davis unless otherwise indicated.

34 of 68 Events Complete, Entries up 48%, Average Entries per Event up 38%

Still Plenty of Poker Left with Exciting and New Events on Tap through July 14, 2015

Photo courtesy: Jayne Furman/WSOP

LAS VEGAS (June 17, 2015) – The 2015 version of the World Series of Poker (WSOP)currently ongoing at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is on record-setting pace, following what was a record-breaking year in 2014.

Spectators are welcome to visit the WSOP and see the action up close and personal. There is no admission charge and many of the top players can be seen in the hallways taking photos with fans and discussing their play with other players and fans.

With 34 official WSOP gold bracelet events complete (and 34 more to go), the 46th Annual WSOP is pacing to become the largest in terms of participation in the series’ storied 46-year history. Already this WSOP has seen three of the seven largest live poker tournaments in history (Event #5, Event #16 and Event #28) which had 22,374 (#1 all-time), 7,275 (#6 all-time) and 7,192 (#7 all-time) entries respectively.

To date, 59,395 entries have been tallied – up 48% vs. the first 34 events in 2014 (40,216 entries). In 2014, for the entire duration of the WSOP, an average of 1,267 players participated in any given WSOP event and the entire series garnered a record 82,360 entries.

Thus far in 2015, the average entries per event are up 38%, to 1,747.

Players from 98 countries have already participated in events this WSOP, well on pace to top last year’s 110 country mark.

In terms of prize money awarded, the 34 official WSOP gold bracelet events have awarded $70,095,110, up10% from 2014 at the same point. ($63,726,545). Each event is averaging a $2,061,620 prize pool, up$187,310 over 2014.

Between official WSOP gold bracelet, Daily Deepstack, single and mega satellites, a total of 116,977 entries have been recorded at the 2015 WSOP. (Note these numbers do not include participation in cash games, which we don’t track).

“This year more than ever, all poker enthusiasts are welcome here,” said WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart. “We hope the World Series of Poker is on the radar of any poker player, regardless of bankroll and experience.

The city of Las Vegas has been abuzz since the WSOP opening weekend. It’s great to see poker being played throughout the city, and here at the Rio the players have responded to our new and varied spread of offerings in record numbers this year. We truly believe the back half of our schedule is just as exciting and with the WSOP Main Event just a couple weeks away starting July 5, we’re optimistic the new ‘pay 1,000’ places plan will help drive that event to new heights too.”

Speaking of records, in 2015, the WSOP has already achieved the following firsts in poker history:

The records at the 2015 WSOP aren’t just confined to the official WSOP gold bracelet events either. The popular Daily Deepstack tournaments are pacing well ahead of last year as well.

·3pm Daily Deepstack ($235 buy-in) – Set record high with 2,149 entries on June 1 – besting last year’s high by 23%. (1,747 entries)·3pm Daily Deepstack – Averaging a record 1,249 entries per day, up 24% from last year’s average (1,005 entries)·3pm Daily Deepstack -- The winner of the June 1 won $62,256 – a whopping 265 times their initial investment…all within a day’s time.·6pm Daily Deepstack ($185) – Set record high with 1,388 entries on May 31 – besting last year’s high by 245% (566 entries)·6pm Daily Deepstack ($185) – Averaging a record 434 entries per day, up 49% from last year’s average (290 entries)·10pm Daily Deepstack ($135) – Set record high with 484 entries on June 1 – besting last year’s high by 73% (279 entries)·10pm Daily Deepstack ($135) – Averaging a record 195 entries per day, up 71% from last year’s average (114 entries)

In addition to the fantastic tournament action, cash game activity has been plentiful as well, with as many as 85 cash game tables running simultaneously. WSOP Live-Action (@WSOPLiveAction) is spreading a wide variety of games at stakes from $1-$3 NL and $1-$2 PLO, all the way up to $10-$25 NL and $25-$50 PLO. A new table-top tool has been added to Open Face Chinese Poker to give added protection and rule information to players in that game. Players have also enjoyed some new action-friendly rule changes this summer such as: no posting for new players sitting down and the reinstatement of “No Flop No Drop”. With the upcoming schedule, we expect to reach our 91 table capacity.

The 2015 WSOP has close to four weeks remaining, and among the highlights left on the schedule are:

ABOUT THE WSOPThe World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the largest, richest and most prestigious gaming event in the world awarding millions of dollars in prize money and the prestigious gold bracelet, globally recognized as the sport's top prize. Featuring a comprehensive slate of tournaments in every major poker variation, the WSOP is poker's longest running tournament in the world, dating back to 1970. In 2014, the event attracted 82,360 entrants from 110 different countries to the Rio in Las Vegas and awarded over $227 million in prize money. In addition, the WSOP has formed groundbreaking alliances in broadcasting, digital media and corporate sponsorships, while successfully expanding the brand internationally with the advent in 2007 of the World Series of Poker Europe. For more information on the World Series of Poker, visit www.WSOP.com.

We're multilingual!

We, at Las Vegas Round the Clock, are deeply saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred in our city on Sunday evening, October 1 and send our deepest condolences, healing prayers and love to the victims, their families, and all those affected by the tragedy.